Spring-wheel.



PATENTED NOV. 12, 1907. D. WARNER & H. KITGHEL.

SPRING WHEEL. APPLICATION FILED nov. 12, 1906.

413 vergtous:

Wifigesses:

."nnrrn s'rnrns PATENT] FFICE.

DANIEL WARNER, Oi BRONSON, AND HORACE KITCHEL, OF OOLDiiATEP, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNORS TO THE AMERICAN AUTO WHEEL COMPANY, OF COLDWATER, MICHIGAN,

A CORPORATION.

SPRING-WHEEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 12, 1907.

Application filed November 12.1906- Serial No. 343,172.

To all 1131mm l't'rnay concern:

, lie it known that we, DANIEL WARNER and HORACE Krrrnnt. citizens of the United States, residing, rcspcctivcly, at ironson, county of Branch, State of Michigan, and (.oldwater, Branch county, Michigan,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spring-Wheels, of which the iollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in spring wheels.

The objects of this invention are,First, to provide an improved spring wheel in which the elasticity of the spring members remains constant, 1'. e., one in which it is not varied by the relative position of the springs in the wheel. Second, to provide an improved spring wheel in which the spring members are so I'm-med and arranged that each spring carries its share of the load no matter what its relative position in the wheel may be. Third, to provide an improved spring wheel adapted for use a driving wheel for motor vehicles which is very resilient and at. the same time strong and durable. Fourth, to provide an improved spring wheel in which the spring members are held.

in proper relation with the co-acting parts without' the necessity of securing them thereto by rneans oi rivets, bolts. or the like. Filth, to provide an improved spring wheel in which the parts are comparatively simple in structure and very easily and quickly -is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing,

forming a part of this application, in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a structure embodying the features of our invention, portions being'broken away to show the relation of the parts. Fig. 2 is a detail section taken on a line corresponding to line 2 1, of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a'detail section taken on a line corresponding to line fi- 75 of Fig. 2.

In the drawing, the sectional views are taken looking in tlie direction of the little arrows at. the ends of the sec! ion lines-and similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

cfcrring to the drawing. the hub 1 of the structure r herein illustrated is formed of metal and is provided with suitable spoke flanges which are clamped upon the inner spoke sections 3. On the outer ends of these inner spoke sections is a rimf2, as clearly appears from Fig. 2 of the drawing. The main side plates 4 a're secured upon this rim 2 preferably by bolts 17 arranged therethrough, the side plates being provided with inwardly projecting annular flanges adapted to receive the rim. On the side platesare spring pockets 5 having caps, preferably screw-threaded, thereon. The side plates are so arranged upon the rim that their spring pockets are opposite or arranged in pairs. The pockets are open on the inside, as clearlymppears from the drawing. Within the pockets are arranged the spiral springs 7 which are preferably of such size that their outer coils fit within the walls of the pockets, the pockets being preferably round, as shown inthe drawing.

The toll y or rim is preferably provided with threaded spoke sockets 10 into which the outer spoke sections 11 are threaded. These outer spoke sections are preferably T-shaped, the arms 12 thereof being looselyan' ranged in the central coils of the springs 7. By this ar rangemcnt, the telly or rim 8 is yieldingly supported by the springs 7. It is evident that, owing to the shape and arrangement of the springs and the connections thereto, it is innnaterial what relative position they occupy in the wheel, the tension thereof is not varied and neither is the strairrthereon, each spring carrying its share of the load. With the springs arranged in pairs and the outer springs connected thereto, the rim or ielly is supported so that, although it has a lateral 1novement,.its central position is effectively maintained. I

By arranging and supporting the springs as We have illustrated 'and described, it is not necessary to secure them by means of rivets or otherwise. 1is is of adand assembling, but also the springs are not weakened by forming holes therethrough.

Our improved spring Wheel is particularly desirable for use as a wheel for motor vehicles, as it obviates the necessity of pneumatic tires. The wheel, while capable of carrying very heavy loads, is very resilient and it is well adapted to absorb jars and shocks of all kinds-and carry the vehicle with aminimum of vibration. 1

We have illustrated in the accompanying drawing the rim 8 as formed of wood and covered with a tire 9 of rubber secured by lacings 14 on the inside. It is evident, however, that any form of rim might be used in this relation. 7

At each side of the outer spoke sections, we preferably provide flexible guards 13 which ar secured to the side plates and to the telly by buttons l8 and lacings It is evident, however, that any suiieble means migh;

' as new and desire to secure by Letters Potent is:

I said rim, sold me platen belng pr vided with inwardly pro .1 w w Mir,

for securing the guard is particularly odvantegeoue on account of the facility with which itmey be removed.

be employed.

When our improvel spring wheelie used us 9. driving wheel for motor vehicles, the tendency is for the hub to move somewhat forwardly off the center. This, however, is no disadvantage, out rather on erlrentege. By arranging the springs in pockets as We have illustrated, it is evident that any one may be removed and replaced without disturbing the others.

instead of the. spiral springs shown in the drawings, other forms of spring devices may be used, such es an air cushion.

We have illustrated mu described our improved wheel in detail in the form preferred by us on account of its structurelszmplicity and convenience in assembling of the ports, also the iecility with which they may be disassembled, should occasion require. We are,.l1owever, aware that it is capable of very verietion in structural details without departing from our invention and we desire to be uncleratoozlae claiming some broadly, as illuetmted, as well us cpecificelly.

Having thus described our invention, what we 1. In a spring wheel, the combination with a hub, of the inner spoke sections secured. therein; e rim on the outer ends of said inner spoke sections; elde plates secured to jectlng annular flanges adapted to receive field rim; spring pockets on said side plates; screw caps for said pockete; splral springs arranged in said pockets and retained therein by said pocket cape, the outer coils of the springs belng adapted .to fittbe walla of the pockets; 2. folly; Il -shaped outer spoke sectlons, eecured to said folly, the arms of eclfi spokes being arranged in the inner coils of sold springs; and guards of flexible material secured to said side plates and rim.

2. In is. sprlug wheel, the combination wltb a. hub, of the lnner spoke sections secured therein; e rim on the outer ends of said inner" spoke sectlons; slfie plates secured to said rim; spring pockets on sold side plates; screw caps for said pockets; spiral springs arranged ln enlol pockets. and retained therein by said pocket cups, the outer coils of the springs being adapted to fit the Walls oLzhe pooliets; a fclly; IT-shaped outer spoke sections, secured to said folly, the arms of said spokes being arranged in the inner coils of said spring; and guards oi. flexible material ac cured to said side plates and rim. 9

In a spring wheel, the combination with a hub, of the inner spoke sections secured therein; a'rlm on the outer ends of said inner spoke sections; slde plates secured to said rim, said side plates being provided with inwardly projecting annular flanges adapted to receive said rim; Spring pockets on said side plates; screw cups for meld pockets; spiral springs arranged in said pockets anrl rerained therein by said pocket caps, the outer colle of the springs being adapted to fit the walls 01 the pockets; :1 felly; Telmped outer spoke sections, glecurezl to Bald felly, the arms of said spokes being arranged lo. the inner colic of said springs.

4. In a spring wheel, the combination with a hub, of the inner spoke'sections secured tllercln; e. rlx'n on the outer ends of said inner spoke sections; side plates secured to said rim; spring pockets on sold side plates; screw caps for said pockets; spiral springs arranged in salt. pockets and retained therein by sald pocket caps, the outer coils of the springs being adapted to lit the wells 0! the puck ets; a felly; and T-shaped outer spoke sectional, secured to said folly, the arms of sold spokes being arranged in the inner cells of said spring.

5. In a spring wheel, the combination with a hub, oi the inner spoke sectlonn secured therein a rim on the outer ends of said inner spoke secr tions; 'slcle plates secured to said rlm. sold sldc plates belng provided with inwardly projcctlng annular flanges adapted to receive said rim; spring pockets on suit! side plates: spiral springs arranged ln Salt;-

, said 1' m; spring pockets on said side plates; eplral springs arranged in said pockets; :1 telly; and T-shapcd outer spoke sectioumeecured to said telly, the arms of said spokes being arranged lu the inner collu of cold springs nml rim.

2'. In a eprlug wheel, the combination with a hub, oi the inner spoke sectlons secured therein; a rim on the outer ends of suld inner spoke sections; slile plates necurerl to cold rim, sald side plates belng provlcled with lnwerilly projecting annular flanges adapted to receive field rlm; I

sprlng pockets on said slde plaice; splral springs arreugeu in sold pockets; :1 folly; and T-n'naped outer spoke sec tlous secured to salrl telly, the arms of sold spokes being arranged in the inner cells of said spring.

S. In a spi'lng wheel, the comblnatlonwltb' a hub, oi the inner spoke sections secured therein; a rim on the outer curls ofsald inner spoke sections; slde plates secured to cold rim spring pockets on said slde plates spiral springs arranged in said pockets; 8. felly; and T-sbupecl outer epolte sections, secured to said telly, the urine of self: spokes being arranged la the luner 'colls. of eclrl eprir e.

9. In a spring wheel, the combination with u hub, of the inner spoke sections secured therein; a rim on the outer ends of said inner spoke sectlone; sltle plates secured tosulcl rim spring pockets on saldl slde plates; spiral sprlnge arranged in said pockets; :1 folly; outer spoke eectlone, secured to sold felly arranged to engage the inner coils oi said sprlngs; and guards of fiexlble material secured to said slde plates and rim.

10. In a spring wheel, the combination with a nub. of the inner spoke sections; secured thereln; a rim on the outer ends of said inner spoke sections; side plates secured to said rlm; sprlng pockets on said side plates; eplml. sprl'nge arranged in said pockets; :1 felly; outer spoke new tions, secured to said felly arranged to engage the inner coils of sold springs.

11. In a spring Wheel, the combination with a hub, of the inner spoke sectlons secured therein; sprlne; pockets arranged in pairs carried by said inner spoke sections; screw caps for sold pockets; spiral sprlngs loosely errunged in said pockets and retained therein by said pocket caps; a felly; and T-sbnped outer spoke sections, secured to cold folly, the arms of said spokes being loosely 2.1

ranged in the lane! coils of said springs.

12. In a spring wheel, the cornbiuatlon with a hub, of the inner spoke sections secured therein; spring pockets arranged in pairs carried by sald inner spoke sections; spiral sprlngsjoosely arranged in said pockets; 9. folly; and T-ehaped outer spoke sections secured to said. telly, the arms of sold spokes being loosely arranged in the inner col ls of said spring.

13. In a spring wheel, the combination wltb a hub, of the inner, spoke sections secured thereln; spring pockets arranged in pairs carried by said loner spoke sections; screw caps for said pool-lets; spiral. syringe arranged in said pockets and retained therein by said pocket cape;

Ielly; and T-sheped outer npokc sections secured to said.

fell y, the arms of sold epokes being' arranged lniiae inner coils of said springs.

14. In a spring wheel, the combination with a hub, of the inner spolre sections secured therein; spring eoclcets arranged in gmlrs curried by said loner spoke sec one; spiral springs arranged in said pockets; :1 Belly; and T-shape'd outer spoke sectlonn secured to said folly, the arms of Bald egaolzeo being arranged in the inner coils oi said springs.

15. In a eprlng wheel fthe combination WltlLjfl, bob, 0 the inner opone eectione eecurecl therein; spring pociets carried by said inner epolre sections; screw caps for pockets; splral sprlnge loosely arranged in sald pockete and retained therein by said pocket caps; 21 telly; and outer spoke sections secured to said felly arranged to engage the inner coils of said springs.

16. in a spring wheel, the combination with a hub, of the inner spoke sections secured therein; spring pockets carried by said inner spoke section's; spiral springs arranged in said pockets; :1 telly; and outer spoke sections secured to said felly arranged to engage the inner coils of said springs. v

17. In a spring wheel, the combination with a huh of the inner spoke sections secured thereto; spring pockets carried by said inner, spoke sections; springs loosely arranged in said pockets; a felly or rim; and spoke sections secured thereto arranged to loosely engage the inner c'oilsoi said springs.

18. In a spring wheel, the combination with the hub, of

. the inner spoke sections secured thereto; spring pockets carried by said inner spoke sections; springs arranged in.

said pockets; :1 felly or rim; and spoke sections secured thereto arranged to engage the inner coils of said springs.

19. In a spring wheel, the combination with a hub, of the inner spoke sections secured thereto; spiral springs arranged in pairs carried by said inner spoke sections; a

feiiy or rim; and T-shaped spoke sections secured thereto arranged between said pairs of springs with their arms arranged to engage the inner coils thereof. V

20. In a spring wheel, the combination with a hub, of the inner spoke sections secured thereto; a telly or rim;

outer spoke sections secured thereto; and spiral springsv for connecting said spoke sections arranged in pairs one at each side of the spoke sections' tor the purpose specified. 21. In a spring wheel, the combination with a hub, of

the inner spoke sections secured thereto; a telly or r'im;.

outer spoke sections secured thereto; and springs for connecting said spoke sections arranged in pairs at each side of the spoke sections, for the purpose specified. i

22. in a spring wheel, the combination with a of the inner spoke sections secured thereto; a telly or rim;

outer spoke sections secured thereto; and spring devices for connecting said spoke sections arr'angedin pairs if 

